WESTERN Suburbs athletics coach Les Nankervis is an experienced hand at the Christmas carnivals.

Nankervis will have five Tasmanian Athletic League runners taking part in this year's series with Ryan O'Halloran, 29, Danielle Taylor, 23, Jordan Tyler, 16, Tyler Heron, 18, and Lauren Johnstone, 20, among the local runners taking on some big interstate names.

He also has under his wing another 35 athletes as part of the Western Suburbs amateur club ranging in age from under 13 to senior ranks.

"I ran many years ago going back to the late 1950s and early 60s," Nankervis said.

"I became involved with Little Athletics in 1976 when my youngest daughter was involved and it hasn't stopped since - so it's been a number of years."

Nankervis said he rated the chances of his charges, especially O'Halloran, who won the Rosebery Gift last weekend and has been one of the most consistent of the Tasmanian sprinters this year.

And 2007-08 TAL sprinter of the year Taylor, who Nankervis said was almost back to where he wanted her to be, was building toward national championships in the new year in her pet events over 200 and 400 metres.

"He (O'Halloran) will certainly be knocking on the door as will Danielle over the 120 and 200 metres," he said.

"Jordan had his first hit-out last week at Rosebery in the middle- distance races and ran particularly well.

"Tyler will start this campaign at Devonport in the 400m and Lauren due to work commitments won't be running until the New Year - but I feel they will be competitive."'

Nankervis said it was hard to judge how local runners would perform given the influx of interstate competition this year.

"The names are there but it is difficult until we see the first run and see where they are setting their sights for this year," he said.

"It would be good to see some of our local boys finish up in front of them if we can."